The Sun

The Sun symbolizes many things depending on how you look at it. The ancients
saw the sun as the giver of life and light, and almost every polytheistic
faith has a Sun God. It brings light and clarity after a period of darkness
and confusion, and in this sense the Sun God is often a redeemer as well; a
bringer of peace and good times after ordeals. Finally, the Sun is a symbol
of steadfastness and reliability, for no matter how bleak your situation may
seem, no matter how many problems you have, the Sun will still rise in the
morning. All of these attributions, and more, are reflected in the Tarot
card that bears the same name as our solitary star.

The light of the Sun is about halfway between that embodied on the Tower and
that shown on the Star. It is not a blinding flash of power but neither is
it a subtle glow. It is hot enough to warm but generally not enough to burn.
This moderation between extremes is the goal of the spiritual traveler, first
shown on Temperance, now entered into full manifestation for us all to see.
In this higher state, nothing is beyond your control. In the Rider-Waite
deck a powerful symbol illustrates this. The sunfowers in the garden are not
turned towards the Sun, as they normally are, but to the child on the horse.
He is the one who now holds power over the material world.

The great ordeal of the Moon has passed, and you have emerged into the light,
stronger and wiser. War has ended and made way for peace; hatred is replaced
by love; fear is overcome by courage. This is truly a time to celebrate!
Good triumphing so powerfully over evil is not an everyday occurence in this
world, and when it does happen you should be glad that a little more light
has entered your life. The rising of the Sun is akin to the completion of
the tasks and trials of the night, and the warmth it provides is the reward
for not cowering in fear at the darkness, not running away given the chance,
and not trying to hide from the wisdom that is rightfully yours.

As a sign of reliability, there is nothing more powerful than the Sun, since
no force on Earth (or anywhere else for that matter) can stop the Sun from
rising in the morning. In a world of chaos, it is a still point of silence
and calm, an assurance that there is some underlying order, some higher power
that chooses to bless us and smile upon us each day. Even when clouds fill
the sky the Sun is still there, waiting for an opportunity to break through
the dark barrier and shine its light for us. Know that in every challenge
there is an opportunity, and behind every cloud sits a sun waiting for its
chance to be revealed to all.

In a reading the Sun can take on many meanings, though the most predominant
one is that of success and completion. It can be a herald of joy, happiness,
the birth of a child, a stable family, material prosperity or almost any
other end that is positive - but above all it shows completion. One cycle is
over and, before the next begins, there is a period of light and relaxation
that you can and should properly enjoy. Success comes if you are confident
and bold in the use of your creative energy. Glow with the vitality of the
Sun whose light is umatched and whose power is absolute.

Such power and clarity are within everyone's grasp, including yours, if you
let the light of the Sun illuminate you. If there are areas of darkness
lurking inside you, the Sun's rays will expose them so you can integrate them
into yourself. Fogs of confusion are burned away with the Sun's fiery sword,
and its flames drive away fear and all the terrors of the night. A seemingly
hopeless situation will be hopeless no more once the Sun shines down upon the
true path, the correct solution. When the Sun appears, let its power amaze
and overwhelm you. But do not simply watch - reach up to grasp it, draw its
power into yourself. The power of the Sun is true power indeed.

This page was made by James Rioux (The Black Shadow), bshadow@nbnet.nb.ca.
Copyright 2000 James Rioux.